omfg, a tow vehicle?

So, what do people think about old cheap trucks?
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2593154576.html

I am realizing that I have three things coming up that I need a truck for and that I've borrowed trucks like four times in the past month. I think it may be time to just buy a cheap thing for around town and towing to hill climbs and CORE and such close motorsport uses...

Diesel or Gas?
4WD or 2WD. (Probably won't need to drive it much in winter though might be nice for taking camping)

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NoCoast
So, what do people think about old cheap trucks?
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2593154576.html

I am realizing that I have three things coming up that I need a truck for and that I've borrowed trucks like four times in the past month. I think it may be time to just buy a cheap thing for around town and towing to hill climbs and CORE and such close motorsport uses...

Diesel or Gas?
4WD or 2WD. (Probably won't need to drive it much in winter though might be nice for taking camping)

How could you go wrong with that?

+turbo and off you go.

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

That's kinda what I thought. I have the scooter for bombing around town and such.
It's the statement, "Needs some work." that is always so potentially variable that worries me most.

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NoCoast
That's kinda what I thought. I have the scooter for bombing around town and such.
It's the statement, "Needs some work." that is always so potentially variable that worries me most.

It could be ball joints or brakes and that stuff is pennies.
TH400 will outlive you...
6,2 is pretty good---I've built one, has nice forged pistons, big oil pump.
The diesel pump is fairly reliable just sheds pieces off some O ring when they sit dried out..

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

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NoCoast
So, what do people think about old cheap trucks?

Get a 2 car trailer and find a place to stash a truck and a single car trailer while you're at it...

I'm getting sick of DD'ing the dmax.

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DaveK

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NoCoast
So, what do people think about old cheap trucks?

Get a 2 car trailer and find a place to stash a truck and a single car trailer while you're at it...

I'm getting sick of DD'ing the dmax.

Adam and Britta Crane barrry-ed the Sub-urban and fingered out pretty quickly:
A tow rig is a tow rig....

Gooooey Metro for the win, eh Adam!

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Quote
john vanlandingham
The diesel pump is fairly reliable just sheds pieces off some O ring when they sit dried out..

Don't ever run it out of fuel, you'll be buying a new injector pump if you do... it's cheaper to fill the top 1/2 of the tank...

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SteveL
This is the point in the killing spree when you really should turn the gun on yourself

And don't even consider the old 5.7 diesel.....

Any gas 460Ford from 1987 on should be a great candidate if only towing. 13mpg empty and 8-10 towing, but they'll pull the world. A NA diesel won't even stay with them. You'll need to do a spread sheet to compare costs for your needs. A Cummins will get 20 or better empty and 15-18 towing, but the initial costs are a bit higher. The truck part is still the same, brakes, tires, HVAC, rust and so on. Chrysler trans are glass, Ford a wee bit better (need bigger coolers). Generally try to find a truck with a newer trans rather than 100k plus on the one in there. 5 speeds had their issues also. Getrags loose the bearings. Some Fords lost bearings also.

My neighbor just sold a decent old Ford , ext, early 90s, 460, good shape, no AC or PW for 2400. I bought my 96 F250 XLT, Ext cab, loaded to the nuts, new trans, 106k odo for 4K. Still have it, sold my 06 Silverado and bought an 01 Suburban. Ford pulls the 5th wheel and shop duties, Suburban is kind of extra and for the enclosed car trailer when Brent goes to the track. Hard to beat a 'Burb when towing with more than 2 people.

Have a friend who tows a 38 ft Bayliner ( 20,000lb ors so) on a massive self built 5th wheel trailer using an old Kodiak. Real trucks are often cheaper than pickups used. I've seen Kodiaks and IH pretty cheap on CL . Even bigger such as KWs and Petes can be bought very cheap in comparison to little trucks. Just need a CDL for them, but cheap towing.

got one from a guy in shelton.

I'm back in Van town.
Turbo D to boot.

See it in person at Mt hood, or come by the house and help me finish it.

www.cranerallycrew.com - has a post with pictures and a list of names, see if you can pick my favorite.

Adri-Van Newey
Rudolph
the Iron Giant
Tommi Makki-Van
Sebast-Van Loeb
Calamity Van
Van VanLandingvan
Count Van Vanstien
VanTrap
Van Damage
Vani-kahna II
Eskaflowne` Kong
The transporter
Turbo Two

http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/2709597774.html
1980 volvo F614 $3500

I loved my old F250. It towed this beast at 70mph up a steep grade without an issue. 16mpg hwy while towing, 20mpg hwy unloaded. 7.3L powerstroke an 4R100 trans. It had a 4" turbo back exhaust, high flow air filter, and a 75hp chip for towing and 125hp chip for daily use.

I'd really like another, but I honestly have no use for it anymore. I have no where to store a trailer.

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/2821662015.html

If i drive out to get it (and want the 4x4 stuff ) its only $1500

is the 6.9L diesel a non turbo? I was warned that it probably won't be able to do 65 up a hill (towing)

I'm thinking i should jump on this as its as close to my ideal price (free) that i think i'm ever gonna get. hopefully it wouldn't be too expensive to get it to be "reliable"

already grease ready (and i have a friend who owns a restaurant) I'm not sure what kinda mileage it would get on grease , or how big the 2nd tank is. I could see maybe getting a free 200 miles of towing every trip with this (20 gallon tank, 10 mpg on grease) ? which would save $80 every trip on towing expenses.

thoughts?

This was to be my rig, but becuase of the top speed being only 75 KM/h and I live 500 KM from anywhare. I have changed my mind. It would have been perfect as a mobile hoist and hauler.

Nice! sorta.. hehehe where do you put the crew?

I've seen a few tow truck type dealios that would have worked for me. but I already bought (and own) a trailer *knock on wood* Usually i have a great time finding crew members. Also we often take dogs with us to rallies so i really need a way to bring 4-5 people 2+ dogs, and the rally car.

I also found an ambulance 96 E350 7.3 Turbo diesel for $2,000 (so twice as much) but it already has extra interior lighting, shelves, and a battery charger. the 96 said something about a Veg grease kit. (not sure if it comes with it installed or in a box) not sure if it has 2 tanks like the $1k Van ...


Sooo... Advice?? I'm hoping to do 4-6 Rallies this year. (maybe the same next year) at which point I should be in a position to buy a better tow vehicle. So i just need something that *should work* for 2 years lets say

It's the wide cab, so three inside easy. And two in the race car or cars. Turbo Diesel 4 banger.